Ingredient Notes
Use good ingredients for Caprese Salad! Quality is important when preparing dishes with only a few ingredients.
Tomatoes – Use ripe, plump tomatoes. They should be vibrant in color and smell like tomatoes! If you’re buying tomatoes at the store, I like using the tomatoes on the vine. Tomatoes with a similar circumference to your Mozzarella cheese works nicely in a stacked Caprese Salad. If you’re using a variety of tomatoes in different shapes and sizes, continue reading about my side dish caprese salad! Cheese – You need fresh Mozzarella for this dish, you’ll generally find it in the deli case or specialty section of the grocery store. It often comes in a log shape which comes pre-sliced, as pictured below. Olive oil – Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil. I actually love the Kirkland brand Olive Oil at Costco! It stacks up to some of my more expensive bottles. Salt & pepper – Use fresh cracked pepper and good quality salt. I love a flaky sea salt- but you can certainly use simple kosher salt. Avoid table salt. Extras – You might swap out your fresh basil for a basil pesto, and a Balsamic drizzle adds depth and interest to the classic flavor combination!
How to make Caprese Salad
Simple Stacked or Layered Caprese Salad
Caprese Salad in its simplest form is just a slice of Mozzarella Cheese layered with a slice of tomato and a basil leaf and dressed with olive oil, salt and pepper. I personally like to finely slice the basil as opposed to using a whole leaf; I find it easier to eat. I also love the American addition of balsamic glaze, which you can purchase ready made in the grocery store near the balsamic vinegar. It adds a fantastic sweetness and tang.
Caprese Salad as a Side Dish
If I have tomatoes in a variety of sizes, or I want to make Caprese salad for a crowd, or to serve with a meal, I prepare it a little differently. Prepared in this way, the bite-sized pieces of everything serve more like a salad. It’s fantastic served along side grilled chicken, beef, or fish. Add some crostini to scoop up those delicious bites! Either way you make this classic Italian dish, you can’t go wrong with the combinations of tomatoes, Mozzarella, basil and olive oil!
